Ulysses, one of the most unique boutique hotels in Baltimore, Maryland by Ash
I eagerly sought a stay at this hotel, which is undoubtedly one of the best boutique hotels in Baltimore, Maryland. Find out why.
Yes, I eagerly sought out this boutique hotel, Ulysses, because I was a fan of one of their other hotels, Hotel Peter and Paul, in New Orleans. My experience at Hotel Peter and Paul led me to this one, which did not disappoint. I’ll share my experience at Ulysses, what led me here, and why I love this brand. By the end, I hope you’ll love it too and will book your retreat at Ulysses, one of the best and most unique boutique hotels in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Ulysses, the entrance
- Ulysses, a floor mat at the entrance
- The front door entrance
The Tale: What Led Me to one of the best Boutique Hotels in Baltimore, Maryland
Before the pandemic, I came across an article about Hotel Peter and Paul in a travel magazine. I was headed to New Orleans for work, and the hotel had just opened, so I decided to switch my reservation. I took a chance! It turned out to be a great decision. Even though I usually don’t stay at the same hotel twice, Hotel Peter and Paul became my regular spot whenever I visited Louisiana. It was conveniently located between Biloxi and Baton Rouge in New Orleans, making it easy for my meetings, and I loved spending my evenings there during my solo trips.
The hotel’s unique charm and peaceful atmosphere always left me looking forward to my visits. I enjoyed hanging out at the hotel’s restaurant bar and sipping on a Boulevardier cocktail. The Elysian Bar, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, is where I had my first ever Boulevardier. In the evenings, I’d wander around the neighborhood, and in the mornings, I’d grab breakfast at one of the nearby cafes. It was an experience I truly loved!
The hotel is a converted old church, rectory, convent, and school house; each room has unique antiques. But wait, this article is about Ulysses, not Hotel Peter and Paul. However, it’s important to share what led me to Ulysses in the first place.
Of course, I had investigated who was behind this hotel. Since I travel for work all over the country, I wondered if they had any other hotels I could visit. It turned out they had one in Baltimore! Ash opened it in 2022. I was finally heading to Baltimore for a museum conference, so I booked a night at this hotel as soon as possible, and it did not disappoint.
The HOTEL: what makes this one of the best boutique hotels in Baltimore, Maryland?
- The front desk
- Looking to the entrance from the front desk
- Looking up to the front desk in the lobby
To say this hotel is eclectic is an understatement. It is dark and moody, but it is also colorful. With a diverse mix of antiques and new things, Ash perfectly mixes them, creating an emotional connection, unlike any hotel I’ve ever stayed in. I was almost overwhelmed with all the things to see! There was always something new that went unnoticed and suddenly caught my eye. Yes, I loved this hotel.
Ulysses is located in a historic building that began its life as the residence of a Baltimore Mayor in 1912. It is situated in the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood and is very walkable.
FOOD and DRINK
Ash-Bar
- Entrance to Ash Bar from the lobby
- Inside Ash Bar
- Ash Bar
Ash-Bar, the restaurant and bar, was closed during my stay because it was a Monday night. I was able to grab a Danish and coffee there the following day before heading out for breakfast.
Bloom’s
Before heading up for the night, I found myself at this awesome cocktail bar called Bloom’s, and it felt like I was suddenly transported back in time. I just had to order an Old Fashioned, which fit the vibe and style of the place. It was so cool, with cocktails that matched the whole atmosphere. The mixologists were rocking white coats, and one had his 80s punk hair going while making them.
The Rooms: were they unique?
- A guest room in pink
- a unique mirror and light fixture in the bathroom of a guest room
- A guest room in yellow
I loved this room! It was stunning and unique, and I found it overwhelmingly delightful. I was fascinated by every detail, from the pink color scheme to the antique lamps and light fixtures. The hotel’s attention to detail, like covering the TV, was a nice touch. I felt like a giddy schoolgirl as I took photos and examined everything, from the pink leopard-print floors to the beautiful quilt on the bed. The coffee table even had a hotel newspaper with a story about Ulysses. It was all so charming and wonderful.
The rooms come in different colors. I’m happy I got the pink room (obviously, it’s my color). My colleague had a yellow one. Both were awesome, but I’m super happy with my pink room.
- Beautiful glasses in a guest room
- Unique light fixture above mirror in the bathroom of a guest bedroom
- The newspaper in a guest room. A way for the hotel to tell the story behind the hotel
Ash Hotels prides itself on skillfully blending the old with the new, and they do it so wonderfully. It’s not just about the design; it’s also about the small details that help make a stay perfect. The bed was terrific; they provided specialty water bottles, a corkscrew, a steamer (not an iron), and unique water glasses (real glass and beautiful). I could go on and on. At every turn, I’d see something new.
- Stained glass light fixture in a guest bedroom
- The quilt on a bed in a guest bedroom
- An antique lamp in a guest bedroom
I enjoy staying at unique hotels because their designs are unlike my own home. The mix of old and new elements makes me feel surprisingly comfortable, and I never want to leave. Perhaps I should consider pushing my own home design boundaries?
The Bathroom
- The pink and black bathroom in a guest bedroom
- The shower
- The yellow and black bathroom in a guest bedroom
The bathroom featured black and pink checkered tiles, a black toilet, a unique mirror, and an antique light fixture. The shower was spacious, and the water pressure was excellent. I had plenty of space to maneuver and lay out all my “stuff” between the sink and the shelf. And, it was bright, which is rare in hotel bathrooms.
WHat else?
There was no valet when we arrived, but we could park in front as we checked in and settled. Later, we parked just down the block. The area is safe, and felt comfortable. We walked to the corner for a glass of wine before heading to a work event that evening.
Ash has hotels in New Orleans, Detroit, Providence, and Richmond as well as Ulysses in Baltimore.
If you want to know more about Hotel Peter and Paul in New Orleans, I will have a review coming soon. Make sure to sign up for my email list to receive instant notification of this review.
You may also be interested in this historic hotel in Baltimore, One of the Historic Hotels in Baltimore, the Lord Baltimore Hotel.
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